Ecuador, Colombia Strengthen Security and Defense Ties

The governments of Ecuador and Colombia strengthened relations in the areas of security and defense, especially in their common border areas.

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The decision was made by foreign ministers Maria Fernanda Espinosa and Maria Angela Holguin, of Ecuador and Colombia respectively, at a meeting in Pereira, Colombia on Wednesday.

Ecuadorean Minister of Defense Patricio Zambrano and Colombian Minister of Defense Luis Carlos Villegas both highlighted increasing bilateral relations between the two countries.

"The progress in cooperation is getting stronger every day," said Zambrano. His Colombian counterpart Villegas agreed, pointing out the "very high level of cooperation, collaboration and dialogue between the military and police authorities.”

Zambrano also thanked Colombia for its "support and solidarity" after the bomb attack in the city of San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas on January 27.

Villegas described it as a "very serious" attack, adding Colombia would be willing to help Ecuador investigate it to prevent anything like it from happening again.

Zambrano warned that Ecuador "will not give up in the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime.”